Our #OTalk on 14th May will be hosted by Bill Wong on Mentor-Mentee Relationships (Thanks Bill)

Each of us have personal experiences as mentees during our journeys to become OT practitioners, and continue to do so whenever we enter practice settings/or encounter experiences that we may be inexperienced in as occupational therapists. However, we also must realize that we have something to give back to the OT community, even if some of us are “just students”. Mentoring others (including peers) can be a satisfying and fulfilling experience for both the mentor and mentee. Moreover, mentoring others is a great way to help the OT profession grow. In order for the mentor-mentee relationship to achieve the maximum benefit for both parties, the mentee also has to contribute something to the mentor-mentee relationship. This OTalk will explore the following:

1. Discuss why mentoring is important in OT.

2. Identify the qualities of a good mentor.

3. Identify the qualities of a good mentee.

4. Share experiences and tips of mentoring (in real life/online)

Here are a couple of resources that you may find helpful – please share any others in the comments below or in Twitter during the chat. Thanks

Thank you to everyone who participated in last night’s (un-boring) chat!

I’d like to add a quote that someone posted in the ‘Mindfulness’ Facebook group in response to my blog post:

The Other Side of Boredom

When you are really bored, the best thing you can do is sit down and let yourself experience the boredom more fully. It may not be a deep or satisfying state, but at least you are not indulging in the things with which you usually cover up this kind of experience. Your real state of mind is more nakedly exposed, because for the time being there are no distractions. If you can stay with the experience of boredom, you can try to feel your way through into something deeper, truer, and more spontaneous within yourself.

– Sangharakshita, “Staying with Boredom”

Remember to document your participation in this chat as evidence of continuing professional development (check out our OTalk/Occhat and your CPD page), and please share any further thoughts/reflections in the comments below.